Auckland has equaled the highest temperature recorded in the city.

ONE News weather expert Jim Hickey informed that on Thursday the mercury hit 32.4 degrees in West Auckland at around 4pm, which is equal to its highest recorded temperature of all time.

Hickey further informed that last time Auckland was that hot was 127 years ago in 1872.

Hickey explained that the excessive heat in the Auckland area comes as heavy rain is falling across the central North Island and top of the South Island, increasing river levels.

MetService said that this is probably to be the heaviest rain for the summer for many areas and people should be ready for streams and rivers to rise quickly.